A viral 9-1-1 call made in 2014 hasn’t changed the way victims of crime have called for help in emergency situations, and Santa Clarita law enforcement officials are urging anybody in a dangerous situation to use more direct means to call for help.

“This story has gone viral on the internet, but it is not something law enforcement agencies are talking to their staff about,” said Shirley Miller, a spokesperson with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

In 2014, a woman called 9-1-1 pretending to order a pizza, hoping the dispatcher would realize she was secretly calling for help. Here is the call the victim made:   

Dispatcher: 9-1-1, where is your emergency?

Caller: 123 Main Street.

Dispatcher: Ok, what’s going on there?

Caller: I’d like to order a pizza for delivery.  

Dispatch: (oh great, another prank call) Ma’am, you’ve reached 9-1-1.

Caller: Yeah, I know. Can I have a large with half pepperoni, half mushroom and peppers?

Dispatcher: Ummm… I’m sorry, you know you’ve called 9-1-1 right?

Caller: Yeah, do you know how long it will be?

Dispatcher: Ok, Ma’am, is everything ok over there? Do you have an emergency?

Caller: Yes, I do.

Dispatcher: And you can’t talk about it because there’s someone in the room with you?

Caller: Yes, that’s correct. Do you know how long it will be?

Dispatcher: I have an officer about a mile from your location. Are there any weapons in your house?

Caller: Nope.

Dispatcher: Can you stay on the phone with me?

Caller: Nope. See you soon, thanks.

But new methods of contacting law enforcement are less risky, officials said.

“Back in 2014 technology wasn’t as advanced as it is now,” said a dispatcher at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. “Today, if someone is needing help and can’t call for their own safety, they can text 9-1-1 operators to get help.”

But if somebody does try to use a technique similar to the one used in the 2014 call, dispatchers can usually tell that a matter is serious.

“When people call 9-1-1 as a prank, normally there is a lot of laughing and snickering heard in the background, and their tone of voice is different,” the dispatcher said. “Personally I have never received a 9-1-1 call similar to the pizza call. However if a caller is saying weird things and is in need of help, we can tell by the tone of their voice. And we will start asking questions to figure out what their emergency is.”  

The dispatcher emphasized that there are no code words that people can use with law enforcement to indicate they are in need of help.

To text law enforcement officials in an emergency, send a text message explaining the location and nature of the emergency to 9-1-1.

“You will get a text message back asking what your emergency is, so that way dispatchers can get you the help you need,” the dispatcher said.

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